A RIVER pub has swapped paddles for parasols - as the landlord says water levels are at their lowest point in decades.

The Kings Arms, in Kings Staith, is usually one of the first properties in York to fall victim to flooding when the River Ouse bursts its banks.

But today, the pub's flood woes seem a dim and distant memory - as water levels dip.

Manager Andy Henstock said he was happy not to be wading about in wellies.

He said: "It makes a nice change for us that the river's not flooding for once. I don't think it's been this low since 1976.

"I've been told that it's now at its mid summer height - even though the summer's only just starting.

"When we show our customers the pictures of when the river was at its peak on January 12 this year, they can't believe it.

"They are amazed that it actually floods because it looks so low at the moment."

But Andy said low water levels had started to cause problems of a different nature.

He said: "With the river being so low it's bringing all the rubbish up from the beach opposite and it's not very nice.

"There are two pushchairs stuck in the sand that have been there for a while now.

"I've emailed British Waterways a couple of times in the last three weeks and I've had no reply.

"It's not good enough, with the river being one of the main attractions for tourists in York."

Environment Agency spokesperson, Francesca Glyn-Jones, said the River Ouse was not at a critical level.

She said: "The information I'm getting from my specialists is that although we should still be conserving water we do not foresee any problems.

"We are expecting an average summer with average rainfall."

A spokesperson for British Waterways, Lesley Grogan, said staff were making enquiries about the abandoned pushchairs.

She said: "We are investigating the complaint to establish whether removal is our responsibility or the City of York Council's, and we will then take action accordingly. Whatever the outcome, we will work with the council to clear up the mess and encourage the public not to use the river as a dumping ground."

* Temperatures are set to soar to 25C over the weekend - with sunshine forecast on Saturday and Sunday. MeteoGroup spokesman Marco Petagna said York would enjoy summer weather.